…Commission moves to resolve transmission and distribution constraints, urges investment in infrastructure, feeder upgrades and protection of power assets
In a move to better understand and address the persistent electricity supply challenges across Lagos State, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has carried out a monitoring and fact-finding inspection of key Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) facilities, including the Akangba and Ijora substations.
The visit followed repeated complaints from Distribution Companies (DisCos) linking some of the supply constraints and localized outages to ongoing transmission rehabilitation and upgrade works, as well as load-shedding requirements arising from limitations on the transmission network.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Executive Officer of LASERC, Mrs. Temitope George, said the Commission was engaging stakeholders across the electricity value chain to establish the causes of the constraints and ensure that consumers receive the level of service expected of the industry.
“We are here on a fact-finding mission in response to complaints from DisCos regarding supply constraints associated with TCN’s ongoing upgrade projects. LASERC is doing all it can to ensure that every player across the electricity value chain delivers on its commitments. While critical projects, such as the upgrade of the Amuwo substation, are already about 80 per cent complete, both the transmission and distribution networks must continue to attract the necessary investment to remove bottlenecks and make better use of available network capacity,” she said.
During the technical walkthrough, TCN officials briefed the LASERC team on the operational capacity of the facilities, ongoing maintenance activities and some of the challenges affecting the network.
At Akangba, Engr. Ishaku Magaji, Area Control Coordinator, explained how generation availability, transmission capacity and DisCo load requests are managed on the network. He noted that load reductions are sometimes necessary to maintain system stability, particularly during periods of low generation or while faults are being isolated and cleared.
Engr. Gabriel Idam, Operations Engineer for the Akangba 330kV section, also highlighted the substation’s dual-line feeding arrangements and transformer redundancy. He, however, pointed out that the ability to take full advantage of available transmission capacity depends largely on the capacity of the downstream 11kV and 33kV distribution networks.
On the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of the transmission network, Engr. Seyi Onasanya, Acting AGM/Assistant Manager at TCN, said the company was working to resolve equipment constraints and complete a number of critical projects. These include mobile transformer deployments and system-link upgrades aimed at improving the flexibility and reliability of supply to major industrial, commercial and residential areas in Lagos.
For LASERC, the inspection also highlighted the need for closer coordination between the transmission and distribution segments of the electricity value chain.
Engr. Olopade Adekunle, Executive Member, Engineering and Standards, LASERC, said that while transmission capacity remains an important part of the equation, adequate downstream distribution infrastructure and effective operational coordination are equally critical.
“Our findings indicate that available transmission capacity must be matched by adequate downstream distribution capacity and effective coordination. There are areas that require attention, particularly load pickup, feeder capacity, network standards and protection coordination,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of protecting electricity infrastructure from vandalism and theft.
“We also need sustained public awareness on the consequences of infrastructure vandalism and cable theft. Damage to a critical cable, equipment or protection device can affect entire communities and result in significant costs and delays in restoring supply,” he added.
The Acting General Manager, TCN Lagos Region, Engr. Mrs. Funmi Ikoko, assured the LASERC delegation of TCN’s continued cooperation with the Commission and the DisCos in addressing identified network constraints and improving coordination across the sector.
The inspection is part of LASERC’s wider regulatory efforts to strengthen collaboration among key electricity market participants and address the technical and operational challenges affecting electricity supply across Lagos.
The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), while facilitating joint technical engagements and inspections of other critical facilities, including the Lekki and Alagbon substations.
Through these engagements, LASERC is seeking to develop a clearer picture of the constraints affecting electricity supply and ensure that practical measures are taken across the transmission and distribution networks to improve reliability for residents, businesses and industries across Lagos State.
